After another overnight train ride we returned to Hanoi and then set out for Halong Bay. The three hour drive to the bay was an experience itself! Our driver maneuvered his way (a bit more courageously than we were comfortable with!) around motorbikes and other slower vehicles along the two lane highway. We made it in one piece though.
When we arrived at the bay we boarded our boat, Jewel of the Bay, and set sail. We were glad it wasn't raining, but it was a bit chilly and overcast. The scenery was pretty remarkable, but I'm sure had the sun been shining against a bright blue sky we would have enjoyed it a little more.
After we got out into the bay a bit more we lowered the anchor and set out on kayaks.
We paddled through some tunnels in the rocks and around some lagoons. It was quite fun!
It is impossible to escape consumerism even out here though. This woman was selling everything from water and beer to Oreos and Pringles! As you can imagine, her prices were a bit outrageous!
We kayaked over to an island where we could climb up a big hill and look out over the bay. Again, the weather prohibited us from fully enjoying the view.
After returning to the boat we had dinner, read our books for a while and then retired to our cabin for the night.
The crew wanted to help make all of us tourist feel like we weren't so far from home at this special time of year--they had a (randomly decorated) Christmas tree up in the dining room!
When we arrived at the bay we boarded our boat, Jewel of the Bay, and set sail. We were glad it wasn't raining, but it was a bit chilly and overcast. The scenery was pretty remarkable, but I'm sure had the sun been shining against a bright blue sky we would have enjoyed it a little more.
After we got out into the bay a bit more we lowered the anchor and set out on kayaks.
We paddled through some tunnels in the rocks and around some lagoons. It was quite fun!
It is impossible to escape consumerism even out here though. This woman was selling everything from water and beer to Oreos and Pringles! As you can imagine, her prices were a bit outrageous!
We kayaked over to an island where we could climb up a big hill and look out over the bay. Again, the weather prohibited us from fully enjoying the view.
After returning to the boat we had dinner, read our books for a while and then retired to our cabin for the night.
The crew wanted to help make all of us tourist feel like we weren't so far from home at this special time of year--they had a (randomly decorated) Christmas tree up in the dining room!
1 comment:
Hi Dana and Tyler!
We just got back from our xmas vacation and got your card. Congratulations on baby Jones! How exciting! Send me your email address so we can chat more!
Dereck and Kellyn
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